Saturday's Premier Division action review

There were only half-a-dozen matches in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's Premier Division due to the FA Cup on Saturday but Blyth Spartans made the most of it, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Spartans took advantage of the inactivity of others to slip into third place after a 2-1 win at Barwell, who they leap-frogged in the table as a consequence. The visitors had to come back from being a 37th minute Danny Newton goal down to win, thanks to Danny Maguire just after half-time and Nathan Buddle with three minutes to go.

It was a good day for the away sides. Indeed, only Grantham Town managed to win on their own patch, beating an Ilkeston FC side who could have gone fourth had they won. But the Robins never really recovered from going behind to an 11th minute Jamie McGhee effort and conceded a second through Gregg Smith four minutes after the break.

It goes from bad to worse for bottom-markers Droylsden as the Bloods were hammered 6-1 at the Butcher's Arms by Nantwich Town. The Dabbers hit the Bloods with a three-goal burst in four minutes, starting with Aaron Burns in the 33rd minute, followed by Max Harrop and Russell Courtney. Danny McLoughlin reduced the arrears just before half-time, but Alex Frost on 65 minutes, Mat Bailey on 82 and Tom Moore in injury-time completed another miserable afternoon for Droylsden.

Marine took a 20th minute lead through Andy Fowler at The Walks against King's Lynn Town and went on to edge out their hosts by the odd goal in five. Phil Gulliver equalised just before the break and Rob Duffy put the home side in front six minutes into the second period. But the Mariners fought back to win, courtesy of a second from Fowler just past the hour-mark and Will Jones in the 73rd minute.

Things are not going well for FC United of Manchester at present and they went down to a disappointing 3-1 defeat at Gigg Lane against Whitby Town, who moved up to eighth in the table. A crowd of 1,524 saw Graeme Armstrong give the Seasiders the boost of an early sixth minute lead. Shane Henry doubled it just before half-time, and although Jerome Wright pulled one back for the Rebels with 11 minutes to go, Craig Farrell made sure with a third in time added on.

Witton Albion are another side who have made a poor start to the season but they showed some character to come back from being two-down at Bracken Moor to earn a point against Stocksbridge Park Steels. James Knowles after 20 minutes and Danny South 14 minutes later gave Steels their advantage. But Jon Dawson started the comeback in the 52nd minute and Kyle Wilson equalised with 16 minutes remaining.